Audio Roundup 2026:28
by Joel Rich
https://traditiononline.org/reconceiving-conceptualism/
Itamar Rosensweig-Reconceiving Conceptualism
An interesting discussion of approaches to Talmud study. I was stopped short at the beginning of the article where R’ Rosensweig makes the case that one must have a defined set of goals objectives that determine the central questions to explore and the kind of analysis to employ, and that not having that risks losing purpose and focus.
I think that that’s true for some percentage of lifelong learners, but my guess is for the vast majority I’d rather have them learn whatever makes their connection to hkbh real, rather than setting them up for a system of thought that does not work for them.
I also see the risk that he mentions (in my layman’s terms, when you have a hammer everything looks like a nail.
I also wonder if we might apply principles of behavioral economics in a way similar to Kahnemaan/Tversky’s building on homo economicus (all economic decisions assume to be made on purely rational considerations)?
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From https://vinnews.com/2026/05/05/five-ways-of-reading-a-gemara-that-no-longer-matches-the-world-and-how-the-baalei-hatosafos-read-theirs/ R Y Hoffman
The Rabbis were wrong. This is the most controversial of the five. Its earliest and most famous proponent is Rabbeinu Avraham ben HaRambam in his Maʼamar al Derashos Chazal, where he writes that Chazal were not infallible in matters of medicine and natural science and were entitled to rely on the best science of their own day. [As a parenthetic note, one of our recognized Gedolei Torah was behind the printing of this Rav Avrohom ben haRambam, and he received a phone call from Rav Aharon Kotler zatzal—about to castigate him for doing so. The Gadol instructed his talmid to tell Rav Aharon that he wasnʼt home. The Talmid did so, but Rav Aharon responded, “Put him on the phone right now!”] Regardless, Pachad Yitzchak (Rav Lampronti) cites this approach in connection with killing lice. Many later authorities reject it sharply—some calling it close to kefirah—while others, including significant Sephardic poskim, treat it as a legitimate, if narrow, option. As will be seen below, this is the one category about which one might reasonably hesitate.
What would the reason be to “reasonably hesitate” if it seems the most cogent explanation?
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179808
Rabbi Isaac Rice-Can You Listen To This (Or Any) Shiur in the Bathroom?
Which Talmudic paradigm do our bathrooms/showers follow when it comes to appropriateness of thinking/talking Torah? (Three room bathhouse, toilet, Persian toilet.) How do we view thinking (intentional or unintentional) vs speaking Torah? Is the concern physical filth or nakedness? Interesting – R’ Rice implies it’s abnormal to want to listen to Torah in these circumstances, you need a break (?!)
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179831
Rabbi Yehoshua Rubenstein-The Great Debate Over Supporting Torah Scholars – Halacha L’Maaseh
Everyone now says it’s required to take money for learning.
(me -Cognitive dissonance occurs when your beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors conflict, creating mental discomfort, tension, or guilt. For example, if you value healthy living but smoke cigarettes, your mind experiences discomfort because your behavior contradicts your belief. This tension motivates you to reduce the inconsistency, either by changing your behavior, adjusting your beliefs, or rationalizing the conflict to feel more consistent with yourself)
Rabbi Rabinovitch: Discovery of the Key to Maimonides – Rabbi Natan Kotler
Yad Peshuta unpacks the Rambam’s sources based on how he copied Chazal’s language. Examples provided. He also used the best available manuscripts (signed by the Rambam).
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/456940
R’ Shraga Kallus-Aderes Hatorah (R’ Senter’s Yeshiva) Q & A Part 3
Q&A including: boundaries of language used by rebbeim (rebbi decides); learning halacha (start with basics); socializing with other kollel couples (don’t); leaving yeshiva and not learning (can’t do that); and when to do something other than what your rebbi did (don’t).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179910
Rabbi Chaim Brovender-Did Moshe Sin?
Why was it a big deal that Moshe Rabbeinu used the rod rather than talking to the rock? It diluted HKB”H’s intended message to klal yisrael about their direct relationship with HKB”H.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179388
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody-Understanding Cyclical Treatments
Summary of dialysis including technology, why it’s done, when it’s done, and why one might stop. What are the decision points, implications, and what is the rabbi’s role?
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179390
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody-Understanding Oncology Treatments
Summary of cancer including technology, why it’s done, when it’s done, and why one might stop. What are the decision points, implications, and what is the rabbi’s role?
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179386
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody-Understanding Do Not Intubate Orders
Summary of intubation including technology, why it’s done, when it’s done, and why one might stop. What are the decision points, implications, and what is the rabbi’s role?
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180009
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-AYS – Answering YUr Shailos Korach/Chukas 5786
Q&A including: temple institute (+/-); daven mincha before shalosh seudos (yes but not crucial); black hat (really about identity); mixed gender gym (no – leads to mixed dancing or worse); contribute to new shul you won’t use (not high priority); makom kavua (don’t ask someone to move); sports obsession in community (bad, but R’AL doesn’t want to say it); chatan before wedding (be makir tov, take on some new improvement); shtikah (often a good idea, not always); and genetic testing (mostly a good idea but not always).
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457264
R’ Asher Weiss-Parshas Chukas: Ta’amei HaMitzvos
Taamei hamitzvot are different than their purpose. Bein hazmanim is not a ptur from tfila b’tzibbur or kviat itim.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179942
Rabbi Moshe Taragin-Torah of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein: Is There Moralty Outside of Halacha?; Obedience to the Will Of Hashem is Inherently “Good”
Euthyphro’s dilemma and Jewish philosophy. Obedience is good, everything HKBH wants from us is not included in specific mitzvot (Ramban – Kedoshim Tihiyu).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180019
Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Korach 5786
Parsha insights including RYBS on Korach’s “common sense” rebellion, need for rebbi, first do then ask why, nes nigleh vs. nistar, praying for a nes, mitzvah kiyumit, matnat kehunah (some details on truma, challah),chupa, shlichut, and the Netziv/parents/shoemaker story is a buba maisa.
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457303
R’ Zev Smith -Tircha D’Tzibura” – A Halachic Perspective (Applied Halacha L’maaseh) – M”B Chelek Daled – Siman 423
The gemara has several sources underlining halacha’s concern for tircha d’tzibura. Aspirationally, we need to appreciate the importance of time. Specific examples discussed (eg davening, aliyot, smachot).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180076
Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Korach “Does a Leivi Get the First Aliyah if No Kohen is Present?
When the gemara says that if there is no cohain then the “bundle is untied,” does it mean that the levi is out of the picture or just that there is no requirement he be honored. The opinions run the gamut. In various applications, are we honoring the individual or the shevet?
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/jjrayx7aq48q76rh/Headlines_6-20-26.mp3
Ari Wasserman, Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz,Jonathan Rosenblum,Rabbi Paysach Freedman ,Mrs. Rifka Lebowitz,Naftali Derovan-6/20/26 – Shiur 564 – Should You Move to Israel? What about trying it for a year?
What is the nature of the mitzvah of yishuv eretz yisrael and when does it apply? (Not covered – is your own current avodat Hashem the only measure?) Also discussed, practical financial, educational, religious and cultural adjustments. (Me – interesting how some feel a single shul/rabbinic focus is integral to a religious Jewish life.)
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180006
Rabbi Yona Reiss-Science and Technology in Recent Beit Din Case Studies
HKB”H gives us technology to use within the context of halacha. DNA testing can be used (not by itself) to confirm Jewish identity. Case studies discussed.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180052
Rabbi Kivi Naiman-Problematic Presents: The Hidden Halachos of Gifting (And Regifting)
Gifts are considered halachic transactions and thus must be considered as such in terms of shabbat, kashrus, issurei hana’a, and genevas da’as. [me- my impression from Choshen Mishpat is that gifts were always given with the assumption of a quid-pro-quo]
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457478
R’ Shraga Kallus-The Misconceptions In Buying STAM
The most important thing is having a trustworthy sofer who is a yirei shamayim. Details discussed on mezuza and tefillin writing and tefillin construction.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180048
Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-Can Males Provide Service To Females & Vice Versa in Medicine, Dental, Therapy, Haircutting, & Other Professions
What is the status of inter-gender touch in a non-chiba manner? While there are certainly high level poskim who say, all things being equal, to use the most appropriate physician without considering gender, the minhag in Eretz Yisrael is to be stringent (not so in US).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179908
Rabbi Yitzchak Mandel-The Person Who Klopped And Yelled ‘Kavana’ before Shemoneh Esrei
Why is it important to be somech geula to tefila? Includes review of various “interruptions” (eg baruch hashem l’olam).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/1179392/
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody-Understanding Hospice Care
Palliative care is about keeping a patient comfortable, which is not the same as hospice care. Reviews the services and protocols of hospice care and the intersection with halacha. Being patient-centered is not anti-halachic and the orthodox community (and Rabbis) need to be more educated in order to best serve their constituents.
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457568
R’ Shmuel Fuerst-Questions of the week: kohen, slotted spoon, rent, kaddish, real estate broker, non-mevushal wine, tefillin straps, bar metrza, fridge light, and more
Q&A including: can cohen go outside of Israel (why are we lenient on tum’at eretz ha’amim), slotted spoon not to strain (avoid — too confusing), don’t pay rent late (bal talin), chatzi kaddish after leining (always avel or only if he got shlishi?), broker on first deal gets on all future deals between the parties (no, unless minhag hasochrim), not really yayin nesech if non-Jew doesn’t pour or touch liquid (even l’chatchila), ritzuot should nlt touch the floor, non-Jew unscrewing refrigerator bulb on Shabbat (ok), bar metzra for relative (maybe), lchatchila don’t do melacha before both havdalot, and no lo tachmod on non-Jew’s objects.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180213
Rabbi Dani Rapp-Dina demalchusa dina: Cases from contemporary batei din
What are the possible sources of dina dmalchuta and what is its scope? Specific applications discussed.
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457582
R’ Zev Smith-The 9 Days in Halacha
The general prohibition of the nine days concerns activities that bring simcha. Roa mazlei is also a concern. Specific applications discussed (e.g. vort, kiddush levana, bar mitzvah…)
https://torahanytime.com/lectures/457710
R’ Asher Weiss-Parshas Balak: Kriyas Shema
Is kriat shma al hamita to protect from mazikin (TBD) or to go to sleep with divrei torah. Is hamapil a bracha on minhago shel olam (shevach) or a personal benefit? Both of these questions yield nafka minas (eg who is chayav, is there an issue of bracha lvatalah).
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180227
Rabbi Isaac Bernstein-The Angels That Accompany Us Home – (Sam Bernstein z”l Yahrtzeit Shiur)
The two malachim that consider our shabbat preparations really represent our yetzer tov and ra, their pronouncements are simply reinforcing our own decisions.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/1179387/
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody–What’s the Difference Between Withholding & Withdrawing Treatment?
Withdrawing vs withholding care is a distinction made in halacha and secular ethics. There are general rules but each case must be considered on its own, so don’t jump to conclusions. Halacha is here to help.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1180279
Rabbi Hershel Schachter-V’Elu Megalchin #16 – Tumas Zavah, Tefillen on Chol Hamoed, Hefker Beis Din
Topics include leaving aretz, when can you not be learning, tumah, names in get, hefker bet din, mlacha on chol hamoed, simanim, hallel (full and chatzi), and shaveh lchol nefesh.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1179891
Rabbi Aron Rubin-Torah and Combating Racism
Judaism is anti-racist (see R’ Y Kaminetsky, R’A Soloveitchik).
Kavod habriyot and other sources examined.
https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1178023
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein-Does “Machshava” Change Over Time?
In Rav Soloveitchik’s world, Jewish philosophy is built from halacha and is unchanging over time. In R’ Kook’s world (chassidic, especially Chabad), it changes to reflect national redemption or getting closer to moshiach.